When buying is a compulsion.

Currently, consumption is part of the socio-economic system. Today's society demands to a great extent to consume constantly. The new advances, new technology, fashion, beauty standards, among others, generate new needs and drive consumption. Depending on their interests, people consume diverse products, but the vast majority are inserted within the systemic dynamics of consumption. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to stay out completely.

Considering the variations that there may be, questioning ourselves about what is consuming, how much is too much, how much is too little, aspects that are difficult to elucidate, we can talk about when consumption becomes a compulsion.

Like any compulsion, it complies with an automatic, impulsive character, without intermediary reasoning. We watch it when the person literally can't stop doing it, no matter how hard he tries. There is a force that drives her to continue, and that transforms that behavior into excessive and repetitive.

People who have compulsive purchases have episodes where they buy in excess, spend more than they have and go into debt, later feeling remorse and guilt.

Any consumer or consumer usually buys on impulse. Advertising is based on this because it studies the psychology of the customer, and it is known that the vast majority of consumption is generally due to an impulse. But those who buy compulsively, do it in excess, there is some loss of control and not being able to stop that gives it a different category.

Compulsive buying is devastating, it does not measure what is bought, nor the value, nor the utility, nor the economic context in which the person is. For this reason, the products often remain unused, and this compulsion may (or may not) end in an accumulation, due to the excess of objects that are acquired.

In general, compulsive behavior tends to develop more in moments of anguish or anxiety. Like many other compulsive behaviors, they seek to remedy a lack or lack by repeating something that produces momentary pleasure. So while many people "drown sorrow in alcohol," compulsive shoppers sometimes use this flush as a way to cope with distress.

Having possessions is, without going any further, a way to feel less alone. Personal possessions are sometimes transformed into something that covers or pretends to cushion loneliness. Not being able to stop acquiring new possessions could be read as the need to accumulate, not to let go of anything. This, however, is not always the case. In many cases, the question is not about letting go, because they can easily give away their possessions later, but the issue is about repeating the satisfaction that the purchase produces.

In cases where these behaviors are very repetitive, the situation can be aggravated, leading to serious financial problems and complicating other symptoms.

People who experience this type of compulsion feel intense emotions when buying, and a sense of overwhelming urgency before doing so. Later they feel satisfaction and relief, and after a while, they can appear, as we mentioned before, guilty and remorse. The products that are bought do not obey a need or a previous thought, it is an excessive and empty purchase that fulfills the only goal of satisfying that download need.

It is recommended that those who present a similar picture consult a professional.

 

Thank You